When I Think of Research

          I must say that this was a tough class in some aspects. This is not my first experience doing research but it has been the most challenging. However, I have learned and understood more about research in this class than I have in previous times. I have learned now that research is more complicated than I thought previously. I have found a new level of appreciation for the people who dedicate themselves and years of their lives to doing research. I have come to realize that when you set out to find answers, it involves much more than just collecting data and documenting it. There is much more involved in order to make sure that your research stand up to the test of validity and is done according to approved standards. I have also come to terms with the fact that I will not be going off on some big research projects, but will be armed with some necessary tools to better understand findings.

        
   I can see from doing this class that like researchers, I must demonstrate professional disposition /attributes such as planning, crucial decision making skills, knowledge of appropriate practices and policies in the field. Also important is the need to know about different cultures and their practices as it relates to child development. As much as I like the qualitative research design I do believe that the combination of the two (mixed method) is more useful in gaining more insight and information for better results.

          
  My most challenging moment was when at the end of week three I realized that I still did not have a workable question for the simulation. Doing a research really is harder than it appears because having just a question is ok and it may be a legitimate question. However, the practicality and the time frame for the research to be done are the constraints that had to be considered. All these factors were almost overwhelming, every week there was a new concept and definitions that had their own meanings in the research context. I dealt with these challenges in the most practical way that I could find, I reread everything from the previous week because I realized that it was truly building research competency. I understood that each week is built on what I learned the previous week

The whole field is multifaceted therefore one has to incorporate a wide variety of perspectives when dealing with issues in this field. In dealing with concerns one has to look at language, culture, diversity, family background, poverty, politics and policies, concerns of stakeholders and such elements. In the end the early childhood professional has to be prepared to meet the needs of the whole child which include the social, physical, and cognitive and the emotional needs.

          
  I must say that this class allowed me to think deeply about questions and how they drive research. It taught me about asking clear coherent and precise questions, so that the reader will know exactly what the researcher tend to prove. I want to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues for their support and huge encouragements during this class. Without you guys it would have been hardly possible. I want to congratulate you and wish you all the very best in your present and future engagements. Dr. Kien, I want to say a big thank you for your invaluable guidance and support, I am looking forward to the next course. For those of us continuing the journey September second, I look forward to seeing you in class , if any of you are graduating I wish you all the best, know that you have inspired me to keep on going.